Excessive salt intake can destroy the protective lining of the stomach, damage tissues, and lead to various mutations, warned endocrinologist Dr. Zukhra Pavlova on her Telegram channel.
According to her, dietitians from the University of Vienna conducted an 11-year study which revealed that people who regularly add salt to their food are nearly 40% more likely to develop stomach cancer.
Pavlova emphasized that daily salt consumption should not exceed 2,300 mg (about one teaspoon). However, the average adult typically consumes about 3,400 mg of salt per day, which significantly exceeds the recommended limit.
Most of the salt intake comes from processed foods: convenience foods, snacks, baked goods, and others. Additionally, people tend to add salt to their food, which can lead to kidney diseases, explained the doctor.
She added that tracking salt consumption is not easy, but one can adopt a more mindful approach to eating. For example, paying attention to product ingredients, cooking more often at home, and using spices to enhance flavor are effective strategies.
If you decide to add salt to a dish, it is better to do so at the table rather than during cooking to better control the amount, recommended Pavlova.
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